How to Watch the Tour de France 2026: Complete TV Schedule, Route & Streaming Guide

The Tour de France is one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, combining elite athleticism with breathtaking scenery over three weeks of competition. Every July, 184 of the world’s best cyclists race more than 2,000 miles across France, tackling mountain climbs, sprints and grueling endurance stages in pursuit of the iconic yellow jersey.

This year once again promises to be an epic battle as Tadej Pogačar looks for his third straight title and Jonas Vingegaard looks to regain the top spot after back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or tuning in for the first time, we’ve got the information and coverage you need to keep up with the 2026 Tour de France from start to finish.

How to Watch the Tour de France Live in the US

The 2026 Tour de France begins on Saturday, July 4 and concludes with the final stage and yellow jersey presentation on July 26. All 21 stages will air live on NBC Sports, and fans can also stream every stage live on Peacock.

Select live and encore coverage will also air on NBC throughout the Tour, including live broadcasts of Stages 8 and 20 and encore presentations of Stages 14, 15 and 21.

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Tour de France Schedule 2026

The 2026 Tour de France takes riders from Barcelona to Paris over 21 grueling stages, covering more than 2,000 miles across flat sprints, rolling hills and unbelievable mountain climbs.

Below is the complete 2026 Tour de France schedule, including every stage, race distance, route type, date and where to watch the Tour de France live on TV or stream every stage in the U.S.

The Tour de France 2026 Route

The 2026 Tour de France begins with the Grand Départ in Barcelona on July 4. It marks the first time the Tour de France has started in Barcelona and just the third time the race has visited Spain.

Over 21 stages, riders will cover 2,071 miles (3,333 km) across a mix of flat, hilly and high-mountain terrain while climbing a staggering 179,000 feet (approximately 54,500 meters) of elevation. The race concludes on July 26 with the iconic finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, returning to the French capital after the 2024 Tour finished in Nice due to the Paris Olympics.

Check out this year’s route:

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The Top Contenders to Win Tour de France 2026

The battle for the 2026 Tour de France is expected to feature a mix of established champions and rising stars. Here are four of the biggest Tour de France favorites to watch as they compete for the yellow jersey.

Tadej Pogačar

Pogačar is seeking his third consecutive and fifth overall Tour de France title in the last six years. The 27-year-old UAE Team Emirates XRG leader has established himself as one of the world’s best cyclists on the circuit.

Jonas Vingegaard

Two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard remains Pogačar’s biggest rival. Riding for Team Visma–Lease a Bike, Vingegaard has finished first or second in the Tour multiple times since 2021, making their ongoing rivalry one of the defining storylines in cycling, and in this Grand Tour specifically.

Paul Seixas

French rider Paul Seixas is quickly becoming one of cycling’s fast-rising stars. At just 19 years old, he’s had an impressive start to the 2026 season, including his first professional victory at the Volta ao Algarve and another win at the Faun-Ardèche Classic. The Decathlon CMA CGM rider enters his first Tour de France looking to make an immediate impact on the course and contend for a strong general classification finish.

João Almeida

João Almeida has emerged as one of the most consistent Grand Tour riders. The UAE Team Emirates XRG star finished fourth at the 2024 Tour de France and has recorded multiple podium finishes in other major stage races. He could contend for the general classification or play a key supporting role for teammate Tadej Pogačar.

A Brief History of the Tour de France

The 2026 Tour de France marks the 113th edition of cycling’s most prestigious race and the third time the event has started in Spain.

The race began in 1903. The race was originally started by the French newspaper L’Auto as a way to increase sales during their competition with rival newspaper Le Vélo. The race was an instant success, and L’Auto’s circulation grew exponentially. This led to their rival Le Vélo closing its doors in 1904.

The inaugural Tour featured six stages covering 2,428 kilometers (1,509 miles) from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes and back to Paris. Riders competed individually (unlike in today’s team-based race) over mostly unpaved roads, often racing through the night. Italian-born rider and chimney sweep Maurice Garin won the first Tour de France.

The record for the most Tour de France victories is five, shared by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin. Lance Armstrong’s seven Tour victories were vacated after he was stripped of his titles for doping violations.

If Tadej Pogačar wins the 2026 Tour de France, he would join those four legends as a five-time Tour champion.

Who Are the Top Teams in Professional Cycling?

According to the UCI WorldTeam Rankings (as of June 29, 2026), UAE Team Emirates XRG is the top-ranked team in professional cycling. Led by Tour de France favorite Tadej Pogačar, UAE has established itself as the team to beat in Grand Tour racing.

Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe enters the Tour as the No. 2-ranked team in the UCI standings, while Team Visma-Lease a Bike, led by two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, ranks third. Decathlon CMA CGM Team, featuring rising French star Paul Seixas, and Lidl–Trek round out the current top five.

These five teams are expected to shape the race for the yellow jersey, stage victories and the overall general classification throughout the Tour.

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